On October 5, 1984, Marc Garneau became Canada's first astronaut when he rocketed into space from a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. In doing so, Garneau became a national hero. Seven of his fellow citizens followed in his footsteps, many more than once. Julie Payette, a young mother and adventurer from Montreal was the first Canadian woman to visit the International Space Station. Chris Hadfield, a former fighter pilot from Ontario, was the first Canadian to do a spacewalk, while Saskatchewan-born Doctor Dave Williams performed surgery on test animals while his shuttle sped around the globe.

This book was written as a 25th anniversary tribute to these brave men and women who defied tremendous odds, risked their lives, and soared from earth on sheets of flame. By leaving the only planet known to be habitable, they became true explorers in an ever-expanding universe we will never completely know.